The Democratic Coalition for Change (DCC) Government is committed to upholding the principles of universal suffrage and desires to introduce an election system which encourages active participation by the people in the governance of their own affairs before the 2018 national general election.
Prime Minister Sogavare said these remarks when he opened a seminar titled ‘ The Search For A New Election System in Solomon Islands’ at the Forum Fisheries Agency Conference centre in Honiara on Tuesday morning.
He said the ‘First-Past-The-Post’ election system adopted by Solomon Islands since Independence remained to this present day and Solomon Islanders are of the view that this system has outlived its purpose.
“Based on the views of our people expressed during a nationwide consultation conducted from 2011 to 2012, I deem this system has now outlived its purpose.
“In embracing the recommendation of this consultation, the DCC Government has placed the design of a more efficient and effective election system as one of its top priorities under its fundamental reform programme.
“Our Democratic Coalition for Change Government is committed to upholding the principles of universal suffrage and desires to introduce an election system that encourages active participation by the people in governance and promotes equitable participation-one that provides greater opportunities for women and the vulnerable and disadvantaged people in the society.
“It is the intention of our Democratic Coalition for Change Government to ensure a new electoral act is in place well be the 2018 general election and urged those involved in the preparation of the proposed electoral bill to ensure this legislation is presented to Cabinet and Parliament for consideration not later than mid-2016.”
Prime Minister Sogavare said he is pleased that some international experts are attending the three-day seminar and thanked them for availing their time and expertise to help Solomon Islands chart a way forward.
He said Fiji, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand have changed their voting system recently and it would be interesting to hear about the lessons each country learned as they worked their way through an electoral system change.
